Carl and Love Jones, the husband-and-wife co-founders of the award-winning, Black-owned animation studio Martian Blueberry, will bring a slate of panels, live events, and a voice acting competition to Dream Con, offering fans and creators a closer look at the studio’s work and upcoming projects.
The pair also will be available for select media interviews throughout the convention to discuss Martian Blueberry’s growth, upcoming productions, and the studio’s place in the animation industry.
The weekend begins Friday evening with “From The Boondocks to Martian Blueberry,” a panel highlighting Carl and Love Jones’ careers and the evolution of their studio. The discussion will include stories about collaborations with Megan Thee Stallion, LaMelo Ball, and XXXTentacion, as well as Martian Blueberry’s partnership with TeamTO on the upcoming project Junichiro Jackson (JJ). The session will conclude with the world premiere of a new Martian Blueberry short film, followed by a special appearance from activist and social media influencer Rizza Islam and live performances by Coast Contra and Doug E. Fresh.
The panel is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. CDT Friday, July 10, in Programming Room 1 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.
On Saturday, Martian Blueberry will partner with Dream Con to launch a live voice acting talent search aimed at discovering emerging performers. Co-hosted by JD Witherspoon and Tony Weaver Jr., contestants will audition before celebrity judges Carl Jones, Cree Summer, and Phil LaMarr. The winner will earn an opportunity to appear in an upcoming Martian Blueberry production.
The competition begins at 2 p.m. CDT Saturday, July 11, on the Dream Stage at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
Later Saturday, Love Jones will moderate “The Power of Production,” a conversation focused on bringing stories to the screen across film, television, and advertising. Joining her will be director and producer Ryan Watson, producer Jamal Watson, known for HIM and Sprinter, and Made with Love Media CEO Dr. Stephen Love. Panelists will discuss assembling production teams, overcoming production obstacles, managing creative and business priorities, and adapting to changes across the entertainment industry.
The panel will take place Saturday, July 11, in Program Room 2 at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
Carl Jones will close out the weekend on Sunday with “Building Worlds Through Art & Animation,” featuring manga artists and illustrators Gigi Murakami and Whyt Managa, along with visual artist and writer Marcus The Visual. The discussion will examine the creative process behind character design, world-building, storytelling, manga, and animation while offering attendees insight into turning artistic concepts into finished productions.
The panel is scheduled for Sunday, July 12, on the Special Events Stage at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
Dream Con is one of the nation’s largest conventions celebrating gaming, anime, pop culture, and content creation, drawing thousands of attendees each year. The Joneses’ lineup reflects Martian Blueberry’s continued expansion into animation, talent development, and creative storytelling while giving fans opportunities to engage directly with the studio’s creators.
